Induction of antiviral Interferon-Stimulated Genes (ISGs) by neuronal STING promotes the resolution of pain

Abstract

Inflammation and pain are intertwined responses to injury, infection, or chronic diseases. While acute inflammation is essential in determining pain resolution and opioid analgesia, maladaptive processes occurring during resolution can lead to the transition to chronic pain. Here we found that inflammation activates the cytosolic DNA-sensing protein Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) in DRG nociceptors. Neuronal activation of STING promotes signaling through TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and triggers an interferon-beta (IFN{beta}) response that mediates pain resolution. Notably, we found that mice expressing a nociceptor-specific gain-of-function mutation in STING exhibited an IFN gene signature that reduced nociceptor excitability and inflammatory hyperalgesia through a KChIP1-Kv4.3 regulation. Our findings reveal a role of IFN-regulated genes (IRGs) and KChIP1 downstream of STING, in the resolution of inflammatory pain.